Hong Kong Firefighters Battle Blaze at High Rise Construction Site

A 42-story, multi-story construction building caught on fire and more than 130 people were evacuated from Hong Kong’s commercial district. Two people were hurt.

A fire broke out at 11.11pm (local time) in the Tsim Sha Tsui district redevelopment project. The fire quickly escalated to a level three alarm at 11.37pm. According To the Hong Kong Fire Services Department

According to the department, the fire alarm was raised to a level 4 fire alarm at 1.46 am on Friday. To extinguish the flames, firefighters mobilized three breathing apparatus teams and two jets.

The fire department said that in addition to fighting fire at the scene, firefighters were also deployed to nearby buildings to stop the spread of fire. Facebook post

Local media RTHK reported that at least two motorists were taken to hospital after being injured. reported. However, their conditions remain unknown.

Multiple floors, including the scaffolding were destroyed by flames. Small fires were started in nearby buildings by blazing debris, which caused traffic to be closed on Middle Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.

According to the Fire Services Department on Friday, the fire was put out around 8 a.m., but it is not known what caused it.

Police stated that six buildings adjacent to the one where the evacuation took place and the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Hong Kong were also on fire. However, those fires were put out.

According to Empire Group’s website, the building will house the city’s Mariners Club and a hotel. It is a 42-story tall project. Local media The project was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

It is surrounded by several commercial and residential buildings, a shopping center, and several hotels. An earlier night, large crowds of people gathered along the street to witness the firefighting operations.

The fire had become less severe by dawn, but flames could still been seen on several floors. Exterior walls of the structure were darkened and some parts of the scaffolding looked shaky.

The Mariners’ club was established in 1967 in order to offer affordable accommodation for seafarers. It was also popular with maritime workers who were passing through Hong Kong.

This report was contributed by Reuters and Associated Press.